If I had to start my career again, this is what I’d do differently.

Over the years, I’ve made a lot of decisions at work — some good, some… character-building.

And while I wouldn’t change the journey, I do wish I’d known a few things sooner. Not to avoid every mistake, but to handle them better — with more clarity, more control, and a lot less stress.

So I pulled together 10 lessons I’d give my younger self. Each one is a mindset, behaviour, or shift in focus that’s made a real difference over time.

Here they are:

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🔹 1. Create Action Lists

Not just to-do lists. Action lists that actually move work forward — with clear owners, deadlines, and a short daily list that’s actually achievable.

🔹 2. Listen to Podcasts

If you want to accelerate your growth, make learning part of your routine. Podcasts, audiobooks, and summaries let you learn on the move — and they humanise the experts. Once you hear how they think, their path feels more achievable.

🔹 3. Embrace New Technology

Try new tools. Stay curious. You don’t need to be the first, but don’t be the last either. Small tech wins add up over time.

🔹 4. Be Selective with Certificates

You don’t need every qualification going. Learn what’s actually recognised in your field — and what you’ll use.

🔹 5. Set Aside Savings (FU Money)

Even a small savings buffer gives you options — to walk away from bad jobs, turn down bad clients, and wait for the right move.

🔹 6. Build Networks Before You Need Them

Stay in touch. Help others. Make genuine connections. Because when you need support, it’s your relationships — not your CV — that will carry you.

🔹 7. Expect Less of Leaders

Hope for great leadership, but don’t outsource your growth to it. Lead yourself first. You’ll be less disappointed and more in control.

🔹 8. Develop a Thick Skin

Learn to take feedback without falling apart — and to spot the difference between helpful critique and pointless noise.

🔹 9. Be Kinder

To your team. To your colleagues. To everyone. Especially under pressure. Kindness isn’t soft — it’s what people remember.

🔹 10. Get More Sleep

You don’t need to grind to prove your value. You need sleep to think clearly, work better, and make good decisions that last.

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🎁 Bonus: Work from a Place of Rest

If you’re always pushing to earn rest, you’re already too far gone. Rest first. Then work.

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I’ve made a video that unpacks each of these — where they came from, how I learned them, and how they changed the way I approach my work.

🎥 [Watch the full video on YouTube]
(10 Lessons for Building a Better Career — I Wish I Knew Sooner)

I hope something in there helps you where you are now — or helps you support someone just getting started.

And if there’s something you wish you’d learned earlier in your career, I’d love to hear it.